Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mr. Pink]

[khyber]

rapier...and THAT is why i have some measure of pity for him.
BUT, i'm not sure if it's just being drunk.

Not only that but it's not as if this guy is unable is fully incapable of simple change. If he made some simple changes in his life, he probably could find SOME measure of serenity. He's gotta admit to some stuff...he's gotta loosen his tie (if possible) and he has to get someone to beat the shit out of him when he's sober, first verbally, then physically, then to take him under their wing to make sure he doesn't kill himself.

I appreciate your responses rapier, and you could be pretty right. But my impression of this guy is that he's been at it (EXACTLY like this) for the last 20-30 years of his 42 year old life.

Also, when it comes to him having 'little going for him" is that HE'S is the cause of it ALL!!! And it's not like..."ability" b/c i figure he COULD be a good teacher...he's dedicated enough...he's just socially so malajusted that the profession would weed him out too quick..

Lastly, he told a kid today in school that he wanted to kill him.

[rapier]

As you said before, he's leaving soon anyway... but I guess its hard to put up with until then... very hard. I mean do you choose the path of confrontation and argument every day in order to stick up for yourself, or do you try to calm it all down by remaining indifferent, passive, calm...its hard to know.
As you say, it sounds like the alcohol has an awful lot to do with it...the guy is clearly on a self- destructive course. Not everybody wants to improve their lives or help themselves, some people are too bitter for any light to permeate the darkness..
if you got hold of him sober and told him exactly what you thought about him, in a genuine way,he may react with a totally uncaring dismissal, he might get angry. Alternatively he could welcome someones interest in his life and the way he is... at a guess though, he'd probably chew you out.
Just hang in... it'll be over soon. Don't lose your severance pay over it.
Unfortunately in life, as they say,"there's always one."

[sparkx]

[Falstaff]

[Grotto]

a drunk english teacher in Korea?????/ what are the odds????? most of the people over here are alcoholic drunks slurping back soju and beer. I have been in contact with over 200 teachers and they are all drunks...they are here to suck back alcohol and speak a bit.

Not that I am any better but the truth is the truth

[SuperFly]

[Bulsajo]

[scarneck]

Is this cat still around? Can't believe you haven't taken him out back behind the woodshed. Is it possible to find another replacement for him then get him canned? I think you put up with too much crap...you must have alot of patience...No one takes his off the wall threats serious? ...take him hiking and give him a boot...

[Mr. Pink]

[rapier]

The only way the boss will move him to alternative accomodation is if you bring things to a head...fight the guy, or refuse to work alongside him...Korean directors will happily house their teachers with known criminals and axe murderers without batting an eyelid.

[khyber]

Well, it's just one more week now. The school (and him) decided that next week will be his last. "He managed, by his own strength" to stay the course for a whole month.
I think "Holy SHEET! do we have different students."

HE's still around but now i have to deal with the fact that a)he would rather commit suicide than work in korea b) he needs money and given the choice, (as opposed to working in a "good" place) would chose korea simply b/c of the cash...

last night was weird; of all the people in our house and school, i am the only one who he, sooooort of, apologizes to. I think it's interesting, and it's sort of the second time he has apologized to me, but his regret isn't so powerful that it causes change.

it's true that no one takes his threats "overly" seriously, buit the PROIBLEM is that he doesn't create an atmosphere of "trust" where those threats wouldn't be considered more than a joke. But the frequency of it, his attitude towards everything+unpredictability+the booze+the messed up brain=a bunch of scared people.

I can wait one more week. Horay...

[rapier]

If you've been at all passive or nice to him, simply in order to avoid problems, he will have assumed you are his lifelong buddy...

[Grotto]

alright maybe I was a bit hammered when I wrote the last couple replies.

My problem stems from the hagwon increasing my duties, changing the schedule 1/2 way through the contract.(an increase of 4.5 hours a week) and still saying that I am working less than 30 hours a week.

I usually show up 1/2 an hour before class starts so I can prepare for the day. I dont ask to be paid for the hour a day I contribute to be a better teacher and ensure my students actually learn something. It is just when the hogwan keeps nickling and diming you to death it gets very frustrating.

I believe that when a contract states a set amount of hours and you exceed those hours you should be compensated for them. Not for the time you volunteer but the mandatory time that they set for you. An increase of 4.5 hours a week is a considerable chunk of time. I hope you will note that I never once compained or bytched for the the first 6 months of the contract...everything was acceptable if not fine.

Nuff said. I was in Suwon last year and a vast majority of the English teacher community were hard drinkers and partiers...I also knew several people who didnt drink at all. But I have seen alot of alcoholics out here people who drink every day....a bottle or two of wine, 5 or 6 beers, 2 or 3 bottles of soju....I would have to say that these people have drinking problems.

Walk a mile in my shoes before you condemn me!

[sparkx]